JUL 22 -- Springfield, MO. – John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Columbia, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing cocaine in Greene County, Mo.

James M. BRONDELL, 27, of Columbia, was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on May 7, 2008. The indictment was unsealed and made public today following Brondell’s initial court appearance.

The federal indictment alleges that Brondell participated in conspiracy to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine in Greene County from Nov. 4, 2007, to March 6, 2008. Brondell is also charged with possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute on March 6, 2008.

The federal indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Brondell to forfeit to the government any property representing the proceeds of the alleged violations, including $7,821 that was seized by law enforcement officers and a 2002 Acura.

Wood cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Rush. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration , the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.